Today's Top Tip
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A strategic business plan works best for service businesses, especially those that work B2B (Business to Business). And there are literally thousands of them. Think of all the service businesses that serve the business sector. There are
... and the list goes on and on. Basically, ask yourself
If you answered "yes", you are in the right spot!
Unlike a retail business that has real inventory, or a truck rental business that real trucks, the "real" part of service businesses is sometimes hard to tie down. And the smaller the company is, the harder it is to tie down.
This is significant because bankers like to see real equity in a business. Sweat equity is nice, but they can't cash it in if anything goes awry. While all business owners will sign personally on all loan documents, this takes on added significance with a service business.
Bankers, in fact, like to see two or even three ways of re-paying any loan. Typically one way is via revenue generated by the business. Another way is through the assets of the business. And a third way is through the personal assets of the owner. Without having real assets in your business, be prepared to present pretty strong personal assets as a guarantee to loan. It isn't fair, but that is how it works.
Just as service businesses often don't have the assets of other businesses, they often too don't carry the same liabilities. They aren't paying off on a large manufacturing facility or caught in a 10 year lease for heavy equipment. They are more flexible in size and can re-focus operations in a heart beat, and therein lies their strength.
Clearly demonstrate in your strategic business plan the flexibility in your business. With the economy as unstable as it is, this flexibility can serve you very well. Take a solid business plan template like this one and really make it work for you:
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A strategic business plan pays close attention to trends and numbers. And it's got pizzazz. Here are the three components you need to get you on your way:
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Your workbook.
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Your business plan template |
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Excel spreadsheets |
CLICK HERE for more info on the 7 Step Strategic Business Plan
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Customer Reviews of the B2B Business Plan for Service Businesses
Overall rating: (4.6 out of a possible 5 stars). Here's a sampling:Tatiana (Italy). "Going from a one person business to a three person business has been a breeze. Thanks for the help."
Javier (Phoenix, AZ). ""I could never have done it if I hadn't found your business plan."
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Imagination is more important than intelligence.
ALBERT EINSTEIN, a pretty smart guy

Strategic B Plan
Which of the thousands and thousands of B2B
services does your company represent? Local, or national, or
international? Find your financing here.

Cemetery Maintenance.
Cemetery maintenance is a unique calling -- and
can be a very profitable one.

Computer Consultants.
You are the expert. Find your client niche, and odds are
that business will be there.

Internet Information Services
You may not know it all, but you do know a thing or two about
finding it.

Janitorial .
One business. One building. One complex. All
need janitorial services. Get your financing in place for your business.

Lawn Care
Golf courses, housing developments, corporate complexes -- all
have beautiful lawns that need professional attention.

Medical Billing
As medical records become more digitized, your services will
become more valuable.

Pressure Washing .
High rise buildings and low rise garages all look for
professional pressure washing services.

Photography
Whether you are serving the corporate world, the wedding world,
the portrait world, or many others, spiffy up your skills -- and your finances --
and go after them.

Graphic Design
Combine your extraordinary talent with some financing, and your
business will be on its way.

Collection Agency
Serve any number of businesses by collecting debt. Pick
your industry, and you are on your way.

Landscaping
Both landscape design and landscape maintenance are valuable
assets for any business complex or large home development.